A first world Christmas dillema...

So my wife is going to buy me a new scent for Christmas. My price range is $100-$200. I was considering Bottega Venetta, Tom Ford Noir and even Patou Pour Homme (more at $255), but the reviews on these have not been encouraging.

We will be in Atlanta next week to do some Christmas shopping, so I will have access to Neiman Marcus and Saks, Nordstrom.

Any ideas of scents that are in that ballpark? Don't really want a Bond.

Thought about APOM, Lumiere, and the like. Don't like feminine scents.

Re: A first world Christmas dillema...

Perhaps Vetyver Babylone by Armani Prive if you like vetiver scents.
(1223)

Remember that while it is perfectly acceptable to criticize the content of a post - criticizing the poster is not.
Mean spirited, nasty, snide, sarcastic, hateful, and rude individuals on Basenotes don't warrant or deserve other individuals' acknowledgement or respect.

Re: A first world Christmas dillema...

After looking a little closer at the Kurkdjian line, I think I may go that route. I've never owned one of those. Are they potent? I loathe skin scents.

i have 8 of them in my collection and they're all excellent IMO. As for potency, more so than other houses. well crafted and some are quite unique.
(1224)

Remember that while it is perfectly acceptable to criticize the content of a post - criticizing the poster is not.
Mean spirited, nasty, snide, sarcastic, hateful, and rude individuals on Basenotes don't warrant or deserve other individuals' acknowledgement or respect.

Re: A first world Christmas dillema...

I recently relocated from Atlanta - lived there for 6 years. I always thought the SAs at Saks in Phipps Plaza were pretty knowledgeable and really helpful (the SAs at Neiman in Lenox are okay too). They might be able to guide you toward something you hadn't considered?

The men's fragrance section at Nordstrom is tucked away in the corner, and has a bin of empty atomizers. I've always helped myself to two or three samples, or just asked the SA for a few when the section was attended. Their selection isn't as good at Neiman or Saks, but you can sample whatever they've got.

If I had to go with one of your three choices, I'd probably go with Tom Ford Noir. Just my opinion.

Re: A first world Christmas dillema...

Originally Posted by ChuckW

So my wife is going to buy me a new scent for Christmas. My price range is $100-$200. I was considering Bottega Venetta, Tom Ford Noir and even Patou Pour Homme (more at $255), but the reviews on these have not been encouraging.

We will be in Atlanta next week to do some Christmas shopping, so I will have access to Neiman Marcus and Saks, Nordstrom.

Any ideas of scents that are in that ballpark? Don't really want a Bond.

Thought about APOM, Lumiere, and the like. Don't like feminine scents.

Hopefully the Neimans there will have the MFK ouds. Silk Mood is amazing but I think its about twice your budget. Some Neimans also have the full Armani Prive line. The amber and oud ones in that line are great.

Bottega Venetta has gotten some bad reviews here but to me it is a new take on Bel Ami. A sharp, modern leather.

Re: A first world Christmas dillema...

After much fun sampling today, I went with Tom Ford Noir de Noir. Big fat 3.4 OZ bottle for Christmas! I'll get it from my wife in a few days.

It reminds me so much of a scent I love from the past that I fell for by accident: the original Perry Ellis for Women! I wore a sample vial of it back in the eighties and I loved it. Come to find out, it was the women's! I was aghast. I could never bring myself to wear it.

Now my search is over. I have a true unisex that is comparable to it. My wife loves it on me.

I also loved the Plum Japonaise. The Tom Fords are awesome. I smelled Derby, too, for the first time. Great scent.

We have a great time in Atlanta. Saw the new Hobbit movie with my family, too! And to top it off, got home and my son got accepted into another college (University of South Carolina).